Ink-jet transfer system for dark textile substrates

ABSTRACT

An ink-jet transfer system is disclosed, as well as a transfer printed product which is highly wash-resistant, colour-fast and environment-friendly, and a process for producing the same and its use in a printing process by means of the disclosed ink-jet transfer system. The disclosed ink-jet transfer system has a substrate, a hot-melt layer applied on the substrate and at least one ink-absorbing layer which comprises a mixture of a highly porous pigment and a binder. The molecules of the pigment and if required of the binder and hot-melt layer can form chemical bonds with the dyeing molecules of the ink.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to an ink-jet transfer system or anink-jet transfer print, respectively, according to the preamble of claim1, as well as a method according to the independent claims 14 and 16.

BACKGROUND ART

Transfer prints enjoy a big popularity, as they allow the application ofany graphic presentation, patterns, images or type faces, in particularon clothes like T-shirts, sweatshirts, shirts or also other textilesubstrates like for instance mouse-pads. Of particular interest areink-jet transfer systems (ink-jet transfer prints), providing thepotential users with the possibility of an individual selection ofelectronically processible and by means of a computer memorizeablegraphic presentations, and which can eventually be printed or ironpressed, respectively, onto his desired garment or another textilesubstrate (support), respectively, by the user himself. Thereby, in afirst step, the desired, electronically processible image is produced bythe user of the transfer print by means of a computer, which istransmitted from the computer to a suitable printer, for example anink-jet printer, which on its turn prints the desired image onto thetransfer system. The transfer print thus prepared has to display astructure which allows the further use for the print onto for example atextile substrate. By means of a suitable transfer print, the desiredgraphic presentation is brought to adhesion onto the desired textilesubstrate. Usually, graphic presentations are applied under supply ofheat and pressure by a hot copy, and optionally by a prior cold copyonto the desired textile substrate.

In the recent years, efforts have been under-taken in order to improvethe hot transfer systems as well as to enable the printing of thedesired graphic presentation onto the textile substrate with asatisfactory quality.

For instance, U.S. Pat. No. 5,242,739 describes a heat-sensitivetransfer paper which is capable to fix a image which comprises thefollowing components: a) a flexible cellulose containing, unwoven,textile-like paper which comprises a superior and an inferior surfaceand b) a melting transfer-film layer which is capable to receive animage, which is situated onto the superior surface of the paper support,c) as well as optionally an intermediary hot-melt layer. The film layerconsists of about 15 to 80 weight-% of a film-forming binder and about85 to about 20 weight-% of a powder like thermoplastic polymer, wherebythe film forming binder and the thermoplastic polymer have a meltingpoint of between about 65° C. and 180° C.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,501,902 represents a further development of U.S. Pat.No. 5,242,739, which consists of a two-layer system as well, whereby,however, for the improvement of the printing image, an ink viscosityagent is further contained. Furthermore, in the transfer print of U.S.Pat. No. 5,501,902, preferably a cationic, thermoplastic polymer iscontained for the improvement of the ink-absorbing capacity.

As pigments for the receipt of the ink dye-stuff, in the prior art,usually polyesters, polyethylene wax, ethylen-vinylacetate-copolymers,and as a binder, polyacrylates, styrene-vinylacetate-copolymers, nitrilerubber, polyvinylchloride, polyvinylacetate, ethylene acrylatecopolymers and melamine resins are mentioned.

In WO 98/30749 (Océ-Switzerland) an ink-jet transfer system isdescribed, which comprises a carrier material, a hot-melt layer beingapplied onto the carrier material and at least an ink-receiving layer.Thereby, the ink-receiving layer is a mixture of a highly porous pigmentand a binder, whereby the molecules of the pigment and optionally of thebinder as well as optionally of the hot-melt are capable to formchemical bonds with the dyestuff molecules of the ink.

A special difficulty, however, is associated with transfer prints, whichshall be applied onto a dark textile support. Since the dyestuffs aretransparent against dark backgrounds, i.e. maximally perceptible asshadow, first of all a light contrast background has to be created tomake the desired colored image better visible. According to the priorart, for this, in the course of a 2 step method or a one step method, atransfer print is applied onto a dark piece of textile. In case of theconventional 2 step method, a white textile fabric equipped with ahot-melt adhesive on the back is laminated with a transfer foil that wasimprinted by a xero-graphic method (or ink-jet) and then pressed withthe hot-melt adhesive side on the dark garment to be imprinted (T-shirt)by means of a transfer press at 180° C. and a pressure of about 7 bar.The image side with the thin foil (transfer layer) on it, thereby isprotected by a silicon paper. After the transfer operation that lastsabout 10 seconds, the silicon paper is removed. The adhesion of thetransfer print system on the dark garment is achieved by means of apolyethylene or polyester/polyamide textile adhesion (i.e. a hot-meltadhesive) of the contrast support on the textile substrate.

The whole system is felt to be unpractical by the user in so far as oneneeds a laminator and/or a textile transfer press for the realization ofthe method, whereby in particular the washproofness or the adhesion ofthe white contrast support on the dark piece of textile, respectively,still is particularly unsatisfactory and in addition sustainably impairswith each washing.

The known systems that are usuable by means of a one step method arebased on a white, thick transfer foil with a thickness of about 400 to600 gm which can be imprinted by an ink-jet method or a xerographicmethod and subsequently transfered on a dark piece of textile by meansof a transferred press. The disadvantages of this system are inparticular the unsatisfactory image quality immediately after thetransfer on the piece of textile.

The images look faint and blurred. Furthermore, the whole system iscomparatively thick, makes an unaesthetic impression (corslet like) andit is not breathable. An additional major disadvantage is the fact thatthe user who does not dispose of a transfer press and consequentlyswitches to the use of a commercially available iron is confronted witha sustainably impaired adhesion of the transfer foil on the piece oftextile. This loss of adhesion is further accelerated by repeatedwashings.

A further disadvantage of both conventional print systems is theirapplication process on the textile substrate, whereby the application ofa contrast background on the piece of textile under markedly highpressure can not be performed by private persons without an adequateequipment. The pressures of at least about 7 bar (=7×10⁵ Pa) oftenrequired for this can only be generated by a cost intensive transferpress, whereby the users are mainly interested in a simple iron pressingby means of a commercially available iron. The above mentioneddisadvantages did siginificantly lead to the consequence that thecurrently sold transfer print systems did not spread out on the marketas desired, or even were successful, respectively. On the contrary therestill exists a great need for satisfactory systems that do not have theabove mentioned disadvantages.

Disclosure of the Invention

Hence, it was one objective of the present invention to provide atextile transfer print system which at least partly avoids the abovementioned disadvantages. In particular, a transfer print system for adark textile support should be provided which on the one hand yields thedesired high contrast, a high resolution, and on the other hand avoidsthe unsatisfactory washproofness due to insufficient adhesion of thetransfer print on the textile support, and finally which can be appliedon a piece of textile as uncomplicated and efficiently as possible i.e.in the course of a one step method by means of an iron.

Furthermore, it was also an objective of the present invention toprovide a method for the production of textile transfer print systemsfor dark textile substrates with high washproofness.

Finally, it was an objective of the present invention to provide aprinting process, whereby by means of textile transfer print systems fordark textile substrates, graphic presentations with high quality or highwashproofness, respectively, can be applied on textile substrates in asingle step.

The above mentioned objectives are resolved according to the independentclaims. Preferred embodiments are mentioned in the dependent claims.

The ink-jet transfer system according to the present invention comprisesor consists of, respectively, a carrier material (base layer), anadhesive layer applied on the carrier material—preferably a hot-meltlayer—which comprises dispersed spherical (globular) polyester particlesof a granular size of less than 30 μm, a white background layer beingapplied on the adhesive layer and at least one ink-receiving layer beingapplied on the background layer. The white background layer which isdirectly on the adhesive layer, according to the present invention,comprises or consists of at iron pressing temperatures non-fusible (i.e.up to about 220° C.) permanently elastic plastics, filled withwhite—also (up to about 220° C.) non-fusible pigments. The elasticplastics must not melt at iron pressing temperatures in order not toprovide with the adhesive layer, e.g. the hot-melt, which provides theadhesion to the textile substrate, an undesired mixture with impaired(adhesive and cover) properties. Furthermore, the white background layerhas to be elastic in order not to lead to a brittle fracture bysubsequent mechanic stresses. Elasticity, in the sense of the presentinvention, means an expansion of at least 200%, preferably of between500-1000% and in particular preferably of about 800%.

Preferred elastic plastics for the white background layer are selectedfrom the group comprising the polyurethanes, polyacrylates orpolyalkylenes or also natural rubber (latex), respectively. The mostpreferred elastic plastics contain or consist of polyurethanes.

Suitable pigments are only those which do not melt at iron pressingtemperatures. The filled white layer or the polymers contained therein,respectively, such e.g. polyurethane must not melt, because otherwisethe white pigments sink or penetrate, respectively, into the textilesubstrate. With this, a reduction or even a destruction, respectively,of the white background colour would be associated which according tothe invention shall be provided to provide a background for dark prints.Particularly preferred white pigments are inorganic pigments selectedfrom the group comprising BaSO₄, ZnS, TiO₂, ZnO, SbO. Also organicpigments are usable for the white background layer as far as they arenon-fusible at iron pressing temperatures. These pigments can be blendedalone or also in a mixture with other (up to 220° C.) non-fusiblecarrier agents, as for example silicates or aluminates.

Thus, the present invention succeeds in providing a transfer systemwhich comprises a white background layer in the print system itself,i.e. between the adhesive layer and the ink-receiving layer, whereby theentire system, in spite of the non-fusible white background layer,surprisingly fulfills the following requirements:

-   -   a) The alltogether 4 chemically different layers are in the        course of the coating process, as well as the melting process        (the iron pressing onto the textile substrate), in particular        chemically, compatible. There occurs no repellent or detachment,        respectively, of the white background layer from the adhesive        layer and/or the ink-receiving layer from the white background        layer.    -   b) The 4 chemically different layers furthermore show a good        adhesion to each other after production of the transfer system        so that there is no splintering off or detachment, respectively,        of single layers of the transfer system that is iron pressed on        the textile substrate.    -   c) The transfer system shows also an excellent adhesion and        elasticity on the textile substrate, particularly after the iron        pressing on the textile substrate. Said elasticity is of great        importance since the iron pressed transfer system should not        become brittle and should not effect a sustainable impairment of        the graphic presentation on the textile substrate. Particularly        in case of sports stresses (e.g. pulling at or crumpling of the        T-shirt, respectively) the image imprinted on the textile        support has to adhere tightly.    -   d) Finally, the inventive transfer system is washable as a        composite on the textile substrate without that the color        fastness as well as the adhesion on the textile substrate        suffers.

The glued lamellar structure is in a way a sandwich structure in whichthe white background layer is glued to the textile substrate, whereby nomixing of the background layer with the adhesive layer, e.g. a hot-meltlayer by a melting process is possible and the entire system isnevertheless that flexible that the graphic presentation printed on theink-receiving layer can not be detached by mechanical stresses.

The adhesive layer has to be essentially or completely fusible and mustonly be adhesive in a fused condition. In a very particularly preferredembodiment, the adhesive layer which is directly on the carrier materialis a pure hot-melt layer. The hot-melt layer is essentially a wax-likepolymer which is easily fusible and thus can for example be transferredonto the textile substrate together with the imprinted ink-receivinglayer by iron pressing. Due to its wax-like properties, the hot-meltlayer primarily effects the adhesion to the textile substrate. On theother hand, the hot-melt layer also has to mediate a good adhesion tothe white background layer which is chemically totally different (notwax-like, non-fusible). This is inventively achieved in that in thehot-melt layer, very small spherical polyester particles of a granularsize of less than 30 μm are dispersed. These spherical polyesterparticles in turn are chemically more related to the white backgroundlayer (than the pure hot-melt wax components) so that during meltingthey can form or enhance, respectively, the adhesion to the whitebackground layer. A particle size of less than 30 μm is required forthat the particles do not bulge from the layer and such cause troublesduring coating. The spherical polyester particles are preferablyobtained in that for example kryo ground polyester is added withstirring together with the wax-like hot-melt compounds during theproduction of a dispersion and is melted to 30 μm small drops(emulsion). After the cooling, the drops solidify, small beads developand thus a dispersion. A preferred hot-melt compound is for example anethlyene acrylic acid copolymer or a PU dispersion. Together with thespherical polyester particles of a granular size of less than 30 μm,said compound is processed to a hot-melt layer dispersion.

As adhesive layer, besides a pure hot-melt, also a hot-melt adhesivedissolved in a solvent can be used. For example a solvent comprisingadhesive on the basis of polyamides or polyethylenes which on the onehand effects a good adhesion to the textile substrate and on the otherhand to the background layer are suitable for the realization of thepresent invention.

In a preferred embodiment, the adhesive layer, however, contains orconsists of a pure hot-melt since said hot-melt forms the desiredadhesion to the white background layer and to the textile substrate bymeans of a comparatively simple external controlling means, i.e. bymeans of iron pressing, in a convenient but efficient manner.

The ink-receiving layer (ink layer) is situated on the white backgroundlayer and primarily comprises a highly porous pigment and a binder. Thehighly porous pigment provides on the one hand a pure mechanical receiptof the ink during printing of the desired graphic presentation whereby amaximal porosity ensures an especially high absorbability. Binders arenecessary to bind the highly porous pigments on the product surface toallow the processing (imprinting) of the ink-jet transfer system.

In principle, all known, mainly highly porous pigments, are suitable asink-receiving layer for the purposes of the present invention: Examplesare polyesters, PE-wax, PE-powders, ethylene-VAC-copolymers, nylon,epoxy compounds. As binders are suitable polyacrylates,styrol-butadiene-copolymers, ethylene-VAC-copolymers, nylon, nitrilerubber, PVC, PVAC, ethylene-acrylate-copolymers.

Preferably the at least one ink-receiving layer comprises a mixture of ahighly porous pigment and a binder whereby more preferably the moleculesof the highly porous pigment and optionally of the binder and optionallyof the adhesive layer, e.g. the hot-melt layer, are capable to form,essentially covalent, bonds to the dyestuff molecules of the ink. Thishas the advantage that the respective dyestuffs, after the printing onthe textile substrate, for instance by iron pressing, are not anymoreprimarily mechanically bonded, but as a result of—essentiallycovalent—bonds are chemically bonded to the molecules of the pigment andthe binder and optionally the hot-melt. This is achieved in that themolecules of the pigment and optionally of the binder and optionally ofthe hot-melt dispose of reactive groups that are capable to formcovalent bonds to the also reactive groups of the dyestuff molecules ofthe ink.

The essentially covalent bonds between the dyestuff molecules of the inkand the molecules of the pigment as well as of the binder are, amongothers, formed upon providing energy, for instance by iron pressing (atabout 190° C.) the inventive ink-jet transfer system on the textilesubstrate.

For the printing of the ink-jet transfer system, for instance by meansof an ink-jet printer, in the market, usually acid dyestuffs are used inprinter inks, for example azo-dyestuffs according to formula I.

W=COOH

X=H or COOH

Y & Z=H, COOH or SO₃H

R=H, CH₂COOH or CH₂CH₂COOH   (I)

The molecules of the ink dyestuffs are primarily available as anions insolution and also dispose of reactive groups which allow the formationof chemical bonds to the reactive groups of the pigment molecules aswell as optionally the binder molecules. The reactive groups are usuallyone or more sulfonate groups or carboxylate groups per dyestuffmolecule. Under suitable conditions, for instance through heating duringthe iron pressing of the ink-jet transfer system onto the textilesubstrate, covalent or also rather ionic bonds or intermediary valencebonds, respectively, between said sulfonate groups or carboxylategroups, respectively, and the reactive groups, for example amino groups,of the pigment or binder, respectively, can be formed. But inparticular, the covalent bonds of the dyestuff molecules to themolecules of the ink-receiving layer, with formation of e.g.sulfonamides (—SO₂NH-R) or amide groups (—CONH-R), respectively,(besides of rather amphotheric SO₃ ⁻ NH₃ ⁺-R groups) are particularlypreferred.

As an example, the poly[1,2-bis(aminomethylcyclohexyl)ethane-adipic acidamide] of the formula (II) is mentioned which generates covalent bonds(sulfonamide groups or acid amide groups, respectively) with itsterminal amino groups upon reacting with the acid groups of anazo-dyestuff.

MODES FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

In a preferred embodiment, the ink-receiving layer of the inventiveink-jet transfer system consists of a highly porous pigment and abinder, whereby at least one of both components, in particular thepigment being present in bigger amounts disposes of reactive aminogroups that are capable of forming essentially covalent bonds to thedyestuff molecules of the liquid ink.

In a particularly preferred embodiment of the present invention, theink-receiving layer comprises a highly porous polyamide pigment and abinder consisting of a soluble polyamide, whereby the terminal, freeamino groups of the polyamide pigment and of the polyamide binder arecapable of fixing reactive groups, for example sulfonate groups orcarboxylate groups of the dyestuff molecules. Because of that, with thepigment component as well as the binder component, a chemical fixationof the dyestuff molecules can be achieved.

Besides the inventive requirement of the capability of the formation ofessentially covalent bonds between the dyestuff molecules of the ink andthe molecules of the pigment as well as the binder, the ink-jet transfersystem according to the present invention has to display a bigabsorbability or receptivity, respectively, of ink in order to guaranteea clear print image. This requirement is achieved by providing apigment, preferably a polyamide pigment with a high porosity.

Preferred polyamide pigments which are used for the ink-jet transfersystems according to the present invention preferably display aspherical, for instance a globular geometry and an interior surfacewhich is as high as possible. The granular sizes of the used polyamidepigments are in a range of about 2 μm and about 45 μm, whereby a rangeof 2 to 10 μm is particularly preferred. The bigger the granular size ofthe polyamide pigments, the more the surface of said pigments is closedand thus the ink-receiving capacity is reduced or even renderedimpossible, respectively. The interior surface of the highly porouspigment amounts to at least about 15 m²/g, preferably it is betweenabout 20-30 m²/g.

It turned out that in particular a polyamide pigment with the trade name“Orgasol” displays the required properties, in particular the highgradeporosity.

A highly porous polyamide pigment with an interior surface of at leastabout 15 m²/g and a granular size of about 2 μm and about 45 μm isobtained by means of an anionic polyaddition and a subsequent controlledprecipitation process. In contrast to the conventional productionmethods in which a polyamide condensation product, for example as agranulate, is prepared which is then milled, the polyamide pigments areactually grown and the growth of the pigments is ceased upon reachingthe desired granular size. 85-95% of the polyamide pigments suchobtained show the desired form and granular size, whereby only maximally15% have a smaller or bigger granular size.

For an ink-receiving layer with highly porous polyamides being used aspigments, the binder preferably consists of a polyamide as well. Thepolyamide used as a binder is different concerning its properties fromthe polyamide pigment in so far, as it is employed as a solution andthus does not has to comply with specific form requirements. The use ofpolyamide as a binder is therefore less critical. It has only to besoluble in a suitable solvent, for instance alcohol or a alcohol-watermixture, respectively, and preferably disposes of free terminal aminogroups by means of which dyestuff molecules, for example sulfonategroups of azo-dyestuffs or ester groups can be fixed.

The ratio of the highly porous pigment and the binder in theink-receiving layer of the inventive ink-jet transfer system amounts tobetween about 5:1 and 1:1, preferably 3:1 and 2:1 and very muchpreferred 2.4:1.

The hot-melt layer which is preferably used in the ink-jet transfersystem according to the present invention as adhesive layer is directlyon the removable carrier material and serves to transfer the graphicpresentation imprinted by the ink-jet printer on the textile substrateand to ensure an adhesion to the white background layer. Said transferis, for instance, effected by a cold copy, i.e. by iron pressing,cooling down and removing the carrier layer (baking paper). During theiron pressing, the hot-melt layer and the ink-receiving layer, but notthe white background layer are molten. This way, the image imprinted onthe ink-receiving layer is transferred on the textile substrate withoutany fusing associated distortions.

The hot-melt layer preferably used as adhesive layer in contrast to thehighly porous pigment, binder as well as the background layer, isessentially wax-like, i.e. it can be fused. Usually, hot-melts melt in arange of about 100-120° C. while the highly porous pigments preferablymelt in a range of 120-180° C., preferably 140-160° C. A usual hot-meltis for instance an ethylene acrylic acid copolymer dispersion.

Further additives can be contained in the ink-jet transfer systemaccording to the present invention, however, upon the use of suchadditives, it has to be paid attention that their use does notdeteriorate the washproofness of the eventually obtained transfer print.Because of procedural reasons, for instance, it is reasonable to use adispersing additive for organic pigments in the preparation of theinventive ink-jet transfer system.

As a support (cover layer) for the cold copy, nearly any separatingpaper can be used, preferably a heat-resisting paper, for example asilicon paper is used.

Besides the ink-jet transfer system itself, an additional aspect of thepresent invention is a method for its preparation. The coating methodcomprises the following steps:

-   -   a) application of an adhesive layer, preferably a hot-melt        layer, which comprises dispersed spherical polyester particles        of a granular size of less than 30 μm onto a carrier material,        for instance silicon paper, by means of a coating means for        instance a coating machine, whereby a layer thickness of about        30 to 40 μm is adjusted, thereafter drying the hot-melt layer        and    -   b) application of a white background layer consisting of, at        iron pressing temperatures non-fusible (i.e. up to about 220°        C.), elastic plastics which are is filled with white, preferably        inorganic, pigments onto the hot-melt layer, preferably with a        resulting layer thickness of about 20-35 μm,    -   c) application of at least one ink-receiving layer dispersion        onto the white background layer and    -   d) drying the ink-jet transfer system.

The double/multiple application of the ink- receiving layer according tostep c) provides the advantage that a smooth and even surface as well asan ink-receiving layer with a balanced thickness is formed, whereby theprinting process or the resulting print image, respectively, isinfluenced in a positive way.

First, the graphic presentation to be applied onto the textile substrateis laterally correctly printed onto the ink-jet transfer system suchobtained by a usual printer, e.g. an ink-jet printer (ink-jet-plotter),cut out, removed from the support (e.g. silicon paper), covered withbaking paper and afterwards iron pressed onto the desired textilesubstrate, for instance a T-shirt, at a temperature of between about 160and 220° C., preferably of 170° C., during at least 10 seconds. Thelowest layer is the carrier material which is removed and discardedbefore the application of the graphic presentation. As the preferredcover paper, a heat-resistant silicon paper (baking paper) is used. Theprinted graphic presentation obtained in such a way (cold copy) issmooth and faint.

In the following, the present invention shall be illustrated by twoexamples whereby the examples are not to be construed as limiting thescope of protection.

Example 1

Preparation of an ink-jet transfer system

In a first step, the hot-melt layer is applied onto a carrier material:Thereby, a silicon paper of a layer thickness of about 0.1 mm is coatedwith an ethylene acrylic acid copolymer comprising dispersed sphericalpolyester particles of a granular size of between 5-25 μm. The ratio ofethylene acrylic acid copolymer and spherical polyester particles isabout 60:40 and the resulting layer thickness of the hot-melt layer isabout 30 μm.

Subsequently, a white background layer (polyurethane foil) with athickness of about 40 μm containing about 15 weight-% TiO₂ is appliedonto the silicon paper coated with the hot-melt.

On said elastic background layer of polyurethane/TiO₂ a dispersioncontaining the ink-receiving layer is applied in two steps. In the firststep, a layer thickness of 15 μm is applied and in the second step, alayer thickness of 15 μm is applied, whereby a total layer thickness ofthe ink-receiving layer of 30 μm results.

The ink-receiving layer was previously prepared as follows: anethanol/water mixture in the ratio of 3:1 is placed in a vessel and asoluble polyamide binder is dissolved therein under heating to 45° C.Afterwards the highly porous polyamide pigment “Orgasol 3501 EX D NAT1”with a granular size of 10 μm as well as an interior surface of about 25m²/g pigment is dispersed in the solution.

In order to stabilize the dispersion, a dispersing additive for organicpigments commercialized by the Company Coatex with the productdesignation COADIS 123K is introduced and the dispersion is stirredduring about 10 minutes at room temperature.

On the coating machine, the solvent is allowed to evaporate in order toobtain a solid ink-receiving layer on which the desired graphicpresentation can be printed by means of an ink-jet printer.

The desired foils can be cut arbitrarily according to the requiredneeds.

Example 2

Use of an ink-jet transfer system for printing

The ink-jet transfer system prepared in example 1 is used in order toprint a graphic presentation on a T-shirt. Thereby, in a first step, thedesired electronically processible and stored graphic presentation isprinted by a computer by means of an ink-jet plotter in a laterallycorrect way onto the sheet which has been obtained as the ink-jettransfer system in example 1.

Afterwards, the print is removed and put with the white side onto thedesired side of the selected T-shirt and iron pressed by means of a hotiron (baking paper+temperature of about 190° C.) during 10 seconds.Afterwards, the T-shirt such processed is cooled down to about roomtemperature and the baking paper, i.e. the silicon paper is removed. Theimage such obtained is shining and matt.

While in the present invention, preferred embodiments of the inventionare described, it has clearly to be pointed out that the invention isnot limited thereto and may be otherwise practiced in the scope of thefollowing claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. An image transfer article, comprising: animage-imparting member having a softening point temperature less thanabout 220.degree. C., the image-imparting member including (i) at leastone surface configured to receive and carry indicia to be transferred,the at least one surface configured to be transferred in its entirety,and (ii) at least one portion comprising a pigment which, whentransferred, provides an opaque background for received indicia; and aremovable substrate disposed adjacent the image-imparting member.
 2. Thearticle of claim 1, wherein the indicia and the opaque background arearranged to concurrently transfer to a woven- or fabric-based article orpaper in contact with the image-imparting member upon application ofiron pressing temperatures.
 3. The article of claim 1, wherein thepigment includes a white or luminescent pigment and the opaquebackground includes a substantially white or luminescent background. 4.The article of claim 3, wherein the white or luminescent pigmentcomprises titanium oxide.
 5. The article of claim 3, wherein the whiteor luminescent pigment comprises at least one of talc, barium, aluminumhydrate, aluminum trihydrate, a hollow pigment, kaolin, silica, zincoxide, alumina, zinc sulfate, calcium carbonate, aluminum oxide, analuminum filler, aluminum silicate, barium sulfate, barium titanate,fumed silica, or a titanium oxide extender.
 6. The article of claim 1,wherein the removable substrate includes a coating, disposed between theremovable substrate and the image-imparting member, comprising at leastone of silicone, clay, resin, fluorocarbon, urethane, or an acrylic basepolymer.
 7. The article of claim 1, wherein the pigment includes aconcentration of about 5% to about 35% of an image-imparting membervolume or up to about 50% of an image-imparting member weight.
 8. Thearticle of claim 1, wherein the at least one surface configured toreceive and carry indicia comprises a first polymer and the at least oneportion comprising a pigment includes at least a second polymer.
 9. Thearticle of claim 8, wherein the first polymer includes an ink-receptivepolymer and the second polymer includes one or more of low densitypolyethylene, ethylene acrylic acid, MEAA, ethylene vinyl acetate,polyester, polyamide, nylon, or methane acrylic ethylene acrylate. 10.The article of claim 1, wherein the at least one surface configured toreceive and carry indicia and the at least one portion comprising apigment include a polymer.
 11. The article of claim 1, wherein the atleast one surface configured to receive and carry indicia comprises atleast one indicia-receptive layer configured to receive indicia from acopying or printing process.
 12. The article of claim 1, wherein theimage-imparting member comprises a color changeable material includingat least one of a temperature sensitive pigment or a light sensitivecolorant.
 13. The article of claim 1, wherein the image-imparting membercomprises at least one of a heat fusion reducing filler, a receptivityaltering filler, an optical alerting filler, or an adhesion alteringfiller.
 14. A kit comprising: the article of claim 1; and instructionsfor using the article.
 15. An image transfer article, comprising: anindicia-receptive layer including at least one surface configured toreceive and carry transferable indicia, the at least one surfaceconfigured to be transferred in its entirety; a removable substrate; anda white layer having a melt index within hand iron pressing temperaturesand disposed between the indicia-receptive layer and the removablesubstrate, the white layer including a white or luminescent pigmentwhich, when transferred, provides an opaque background for receivedindicia and is concurrently transferable with received indicia uponapplication of heat.
 16. The article of claim 15, wherein the whitelayer comprises at least one of titanium oxide or ethylene/methacrylicacid.
 17. The article of claim 15, wherein the removable substrateincludes a coating, disposed between the removable substrate and theimage-imparting member, comprising at least one of silicone, clay,resin, fluorocarbon, urethane, or an acrylic base polymer.
 18. Thearticle of claim 15, wherein the white layer includes a pigmentconcentration of about 10% to about 40% of a white layer weight.
 19. Animage transfer article, comprising: a coated removable substrateincluding a substrate surface; and a first layer overlaying thesubstrate surface; the first layer configured to be overlaid with atleast a second layer configured to receive indicia, the first and secondlayers configured to be transferred in their entirety; wherein the firstlayer includes a pigment which, when transferred, provides an opaquebackground for received indicia and has a softening point temperaturewithin a range of about 40.degree. C. to about 220.degree. C.
 20. Thearticle of claim 19, wherein the first layer includes one or more of lowdensity polyethylene, ethylene acrylic acid, MEAA, ethylene vinylacetate, polyester, polyamide, nylon, or methane acrylic ethyleneacrylate.